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Culture shift re: homosexuality, bisexuality, etc.

Events during 2009-AUG illustrating
cultural shifts about sexual minorities

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Events:

	2009-AUG-01: Australia: Governing Labor Party to support civil unions: The ruling Labor Party held a debate on same-sex marriages during their National Labor Conference on AUG-01. They rejected the concept. However, they voted in favor of developing a civil union scheme for the country. Delegate Anthony Albanese told the conference that this was not his "ideal position." However, the resolution that he proposed and was passed reflected shifting public attitudes. 1
	2009-AUG-17: USA: Brief filed in opposition to federal Defense of Marriage Act: Scott Simpson, a Justice Department lawyer, filed an anti-DOMA brief. It states that the Obama administration: "...does not support DOMA as a matter of policy... [and] believes that the Act is discriminatory and should be repealed by Congress." President Obama has issued a written statement saying that he has "... long held that DOMA prevents LGBT couples from being granted equal rights and benefits."  More details.
	2009-AUG-21: Largest Lutheran denomination lists ban on gay clergy: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) voted 667 to 307 to allow candidates for the ministry who are in loving, committed relationships to be ordained. Many traditionalists in the denomination recommended that those who oppose the decision of the majority terminate their financial contributions to the church. In response, Lutheran CORE, a conservative reform movement within the ELCA ended its relationship with the church. Referring to the next logical step -- to support and recognize loving committed same-sex relationships, the Rev. Steven Frock of the Western Iowa Synod said: "Brothers and sisters, I ask you to consider before you dig yourselves deeper into this hole, if you are so absolutely certain that these behaviors are not sinful, that you are willing to place yourself and this church at the spiritual risk that comes from encouraging sin." Alan Wold of the Northern Illinois Synod responded that if he was making a mistake by supporting the resolutions, "let me err on the side of mercy, grace, justice and love of neighbor." More details.

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References used:

The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today. 

1. "Australia votes to recognise same-sex unions" AFP, 3009-AUG-01, at: http://www.google.com/

Copyright © 2009 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Initial posting: 2009-AUG-01
Latest update: 2000-AUG-26
Author: B.A. Robinson

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